Torsional ultrasonic vibrators

Abstract

A torsional ultrasonic vibrator particularly adapted for treating teeth by exposing them to ultrasonic waves in the presence of a tooth-decay retarding agent which engages the teeth. A shaft which has a central axis has fixed thereto a blade which projects from the latter axis while having a size small enough to be situated in the mouth of an individual to be treated and large enough to extend along a plurality of teeth in the mouth. A vibrator is operatively connected with this shaft for angularly oscillating the same about the above axis at an ultrasonic frequency.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. For use in the treatment of teeth, a torsional ultrasonic vibrator comprising a shaft having a central axis, a blade fixed to said shaft and extending at least in part laterally therefrom, said blade being small enough to be situated in the mouth of an individual to be treated and large enough to extend along a plurality of teeth in the mouth of the individual to be treated, said shaft having opposed end regions and said blade being fixed to said shaft at one of said end regions thereof, said blade being flat and having a thickness which is substantially less than the diameter of said shaft, and said blade having a relatively narrow end region where said blade has a minimum width, said narrow end region of said blade being situated next to said shaft, and said blade having a configuration according to which said blade has a width substantially greater than the width of said narrow end region thereof at a location situated outwardly. away from said shaft, so that said shaft can be situated at the exterior of the mouth of an individual to be treated directly next to the mouth while the narrow end region of said blade is situated directly next to said shaft at the entrance into the mouth of the individual to be treated and a portion of the blade which is wider than said narrow end region thereof is situated in the mouth for directing treatment to a plurality of teeth in the mouth, and vibrator means operatively connected with said shaft at the other of the opposed end regions thereof which is distant from said one end region to which said blade is fixed for angularly oscillating said shaft and said blade therewith about said axis at an ultrasonic frequency. 
     
     
       2. The combination of claim 1 and wherein said vibrator means has an elongated configuration and extends along said axis. 
     
     
       3. The combination of claim 1 and wherein said blade extends only to one side of said axis. 
     
     
       4. The combination of claim 1 and wherein said blade extends across said axis to both sides thereof and is substantially perpendicular thereto. 
     
     
       5. The combination of claim 4 and wherein beyond said narrow end region said blade has a substantially constant width in a direction extending across said axis, and said blade forming with said shaft a component of substantially T-shaped configuration. 
     
     
       6. The combination of claim 1 and wherein said blade has a thickness which gradually diminishes from said axis toward an outer tip of said blade which is most distant from said axis. 
     
     
       7. The combination of claim 1 and wherein said blade has a substantially triangular configuration and a relatively wide outer end region distant from said shaft and said blade gradually increasing in width, in the direction of said axis, from said shaft toward said outer end region of said blade. 
     
     
       8. The combination of claim 7 and wherein said blade is situated to one side only of said axis and terminates at its relatively wide outer end region in a substantially straight elongated edge which is parallel to said axis. 
     
     
       9. The combination of claim 1 and wherein said blade has a substantially U-shaped configuration for extending along an entire row of teeth. 
     
     
       10. The combination of claim 9 and wherein said blade is symmetrical with respect to said axis. 
     
     
       11. The combination of claim 9 and wherein said blade is situated on only one side of said axis.